The Pope has decreed the Syro-Malabar congregation at St Ignatius church, off Meadow Street, may become a cathedral.

Preston became a city in 2002 – the Queen’s jubilee year – despite not having a cathedral.

But this will be changed due to Pope Francis’ order.

St Ignatius reopened in 2014 when the Keralan community took over running the church.

The Syro-Malabar order of the Catholic faith has more than 4 million members worldwide and traces its routes back to 52 AD when St Thomas the Apostle reached Kerala, India.

The Bishop of Lancashire Michael Campbell said: “I welcome this exciting news and in particular Bishop Srampickal as the first Bishop of the Eparchy of the Syro-Malabars in Great Britain. I look forward to working with him as a close colleague and friend while he has care of his brothers and sisters throughout the whole country.”